King of the Wilderness

Zhang Chengzhi first nodded with a smile and, as the host, said confidently, "Ailao Mountain as the first stop is well-deserved. Yu’an, we in Yunnan will surely pool all the province’s cultural and tourism resources to create the most perfect opening for you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Vice Director Li from the Jilin Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism let out a hearty laugh. With the unique candor of a Northeasterner, he leaned slightly forward, his eyes burning as he looked at Lin Yu’an.

"Director Zhang, the opening is important, but the finale is even more crucial! Yu’an, while jungle survival is indeed exciting, imagine being in the vast snowy forest of Changbai Mountain at minus thirty degrees, where your breath freezes and all is silent—that is the ultimate test of human willpower!"

"We could even incorporate the legend of the Celestial Lake Monster into it, giving it a unique global appeal! We guarantee the highest level of logistical support for you, coordinating even the border defense troops if needed!"

Vice Director Li’s words were full of vivid imagery and impact, prompting Mark Williams, the Asia-Pacific president of the Discovery Channel, to nod subconsciously.

At this moment, Director Yang of the Sichuan Aba Prefecture Department of Culture and Tourism, who had always appeared genteel, gently pushed his glasses and spoke in a calm yet charming manner.

"Director Li makes a valid point, but survival challenges test not only physical limits but also spiritual heights."

His gaze turned to Lin Yu’an, filled with poetry and philosophy, "Mount Siguniang, after Shu Mountain, is the Eastern Alps. Yu’an, what we can offer is not just the magnificent snow-capped mountains and glaciers, but also a spiritual pilgrimage close to the heavens."

"Just imagine standing above 5,000 meters, speaking about the relationship between man and nature as you face the golden peaks lit by the sun. The spiritual impact of that visual language is unmatched by any jungle or snowfield. This is the true expression of cultural export and Eastern philosophy."

Director Yang’s words instantly elevated the program’s theme to a higher level, catching the attention of the Penguin Video and TikTok executives present.

For a moment, the conference room was filled with a competitive yet positive atmosphere.

One represented the ultimate challenge of harsh cold, the other a spiritual ascent to great heights, both displaying incomparable allure.

Seeing this clash of "Immortals" before him, Lin Yu’an knew his concept had succeeded. He smiled and calmly spoke, his voice clear yet soft, reaching everyone’s ears.

"Director Zhang, Director Li, Director Yang, thank you very much for your enthusiasm. In my view, these three locations are not in competition; rather, they form a perfect narrative."

He stood up, walked to the large screen, and brought up a map of China.

"Ailao Mountain is the cradle of life. There, I want to showcase to the world the biodiversity and primitive survival skills of the subtropical jungle."

"Mount Siguniang is the spiritual ladder. The challenge there will rise from survival to ascent, exploring the relationship between humanity, faith, and limits."

"And Changbai Mountain is the forge of will. There, all skills will revert to instinct, facing the purest cold to complete the final test."

"From south to north, from green to white, from the clamor of life to the silence of will. These three Chapters together form a complete story about humanity and China’s magnificent nature, indispensable to each other."

These words instantly transformed the competitive nature between the three parties into a grand shared goal. The three officials exchanged glances, each seeing satisfaction in the other’s eyes.

Zhang Chengzhi was the first to stand up, taking a deep breath, and made a concluding statement on behalf of the three regions’ governments.

"Yu’an, your vision is grand, profoundly meaningful. We fully support it! Now, on behalf of the three of us, I present to you and your team our official commitment and outline the bottom line that we must all adhere to."

He extended his hand confidently, saying, "The support we offer comes in three highest levels."

"First, the highest level of administrative coordination. From today, we will establish a joint support group composed of cultural tourism, forestry, public security, and foreign affairs departments from the three regions."

"All filming permits involving national nature reserves and primitive forests will be uniformly submitted to the relevant national ministries by this group."

"Yu’an’s team only needs to submit one application to us, and we’ll handle all subsequent complex procedures. This will save you at least three months of communication costs."

"Second, the highest level of scientific support. We will coordinate top experts from the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu Mountain Institute, and Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology to form a national-level biological and cultural advisory team for you."

"They will not only provide consultation but will also serve as the scientific endorsement unit for the project, issuing a detailed and legally enforceable ’Field Scientific Investigation Fauna and Flora White List.’ This list will be your legal shield for all collecting and survival activities before the camera."

"Third, the highest level of safety assurance. In your safe camp, we will coordinate the most elite forest police or reserve patrol forces, and emergency rescue helicopter flight path arrangements."

"We will grant high-priority temporary military airspace access to ensure the fastest response under any extreme weather conditions. What Director Li of Jilin mentioned earlier about coordinating border defense troops is no joke. In the border area of Changbai Mountain, we will make it happen."